Gambling is an activity where you risk money or something of value on an event that depends on chance, such as a football match, lottery, scratchcard or casino game. If you make a correct prediction you win the money, but if you lose it is possible to become addicted. The activity can affect your physical and mental health, family life and work. It can also lead to serious debt and homelessness.
People gamble for different reasons – to enjoy themselves, for the social aspect of gambling or to relieve unpleasant feelings, such as boredom or anxiety. Some people find it easy to stop after a few games of poker or coins in a slot machine, but others cannot. In fact, the number of people addicted to gambling is higher than most people realise and it is a problem that can have a devastating impact on your life and the lives of those closest to you.
The causes of gambling addiction can be complex and varied – they include an early big win, the use of escape coping, impulsivity, a poor understanding of chance, boredom susceptibility, depression, stress and other factors. The key to stopping gambling is breaking the link between the pleasure from gambling and the triggering events – this requires strong self-control, which can be difficult to achieve, especially in the face of temptation or stress.
When gambling becomes a problem, it can affect your finances, your relationships, your ability to do well at work or study and your health and wellbeing. It can also damage your reputation and lead to legal problems. You can get support to help you quit and recover from gambling through organisations such as Gamblers Anonymous and a variety of other services.
While many studies have looked at the financial impacts of gambling, fewer focus on the social costs. However, it is important to measure both the positive and negative aspects of gambling in order to discover its true effects on society. It is possible to quantify social impacts by using quality of life weights, such as those used for evaluating other public health interventions.
Some of the positive social effects of gambling can be measured in terms of increased community spirit and cohesion. In addition, people can develop a range of skills through gambling, such as being able to think strategically and logically. Other social benefits can be measured in terms of improved health and happiness for individuals, families and communities. These can be measured through a number of metrics, including health-related quality of life weights (HRQL) and disability weights. Using these measures will allow us to discover the intangible social impacts of gambling, such as the impact it can have on people’s relationships, emotional health and self-esteem, and their overall quality of life. Moreover, using these measures can help us develop policies and interventions that address the social impacts of gambling.